Daily Updates

Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus gralellsii/intermedius - the same returning ringed bird (ringed as an adult in a mixed colony of Graellsii and Intermedius in Norway) was at Ashdod on the 31st (Amir Ben-dov and Meidad Goren). This is the only highly possible Graellsii to be recorded in Israel up to date.

KittiwakeRissa tridactyla - three birds were off Jaffa and Gaash on the 1st (Igal Siman-tov et al.)

Common GullLarus canus - one was chased by a peregrine at Accre beach on the 2nd (Itamar Gurfinkel)

Yellow-browed WarlerPhylloscopus inornatus - one was found at Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot on the 30th (Tomer Landsberger)

GoldcrestRegulus regulus - one was at wadi Kissalon on the 2nd (Adi Ganz).

3.1.2016-4.1.2016

Little BustardTetrax tetrax - one was near Mishmar Ayalon on the 3rd (Jonathan Harel). The 2nd Little Bustard to be reported this winter.

Black-eared WheatearOenanthe hispanica - one was near Hatzeva on the 3rd (Dan Sharon) probably the first ever January record.

Mediterranean GullLarus Melanocephalus - one was south of Acre on the 3rd (Amir Balaban)

5-6.1.2016

BateleurTerathopius ecaudatus - the same lingering bird was at Tel Zafit on the 6th (Ezra Hadad), same area where it has been hanging around so far.

7-8.1.2016

Audouin's GulLarus audouinii - a first winter bird was at Ashdod on the 8th (Amir Ben-dov) Photo

Basalt WheatearOenanthe lugens warriae - a first winter bird was found at km 94, Central Arava on the 12th (Lior Kislev). The 7th Israeli record.

Striolated BuntingEmberiza striolata - one was at Acbara Cliff, upper Galilee on the 12th (Oz Horine). Another unusual record following an earlier record of two birds at Golan heights (Lior Kislev, published here). The already reported Wallcreeper was seen there too.

Yellow-browed WablerPhylloscopus inornatus - one was at Shoam park on the 12th (Ori efroni naor)

13-16.1.2016

Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus - one was off jaffa port on the 15th (Ygal Siman-tov)

Red-crested PochardNetta rufina - two were at Ram-on reservoir and one was at Lehavot Habashan, both on the 15th (Uzi Shlezinger and Rotem Agmon).

Bimaculated LarkMelanocorypha bimaculata - one was at Uvda valley on the 13th (Lior Kislev). Very rare in winter.

Stepe Grey ShrikeLanius palidirostris - one was at Uvda valley on the 16th while the bird that has been reported earlier from the km 76 was still there on the 15th (Itamar Gurfinkel, Lior Kislev et al.)

Temminck's LarkEremophila bilopha - one was singing at km 76 on the 15th (Roy Hazan)

Basalt WheatearOenanthe lugens warriae - the bird at km 94, central Arava, was seen well by many birders during the last few days. In the area also 5-6

Asian Desert Warblers and similar number of Spectacled Warblers and Desert Wheatears. Photo

17-20.1.2016

Yelkouan Shearwater puffinus yelkouan - about 70 were off Jaffa port on the 20th (Ygal Siman-tov). Smaller numbers were seen there and along northern coasts during the ast days.

Sooty ShearwaterPuffinus griseus - one was off Jaffa Port on the 19th (Shachar Alterman)

Sandwich TernSterna sandvicensis - a nice concentration of 126 birds was noted at Atlit on the 20th (Yossi Eshbol)

Common Gull Larus Canus - one was at Lehavot Habshan fishponds on the 17th (Shai Agmon) while earlier, another bird was at En-Harod fishponds on the 15th (Tuvia Kahn)

Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus - one was at Urim on the 20th (Gabriel Fridman)

Desert WarblerSylvia nana - 40 birds were noted along 4 km streach around km 94 on the 22nd (Amir Ben-dov et al). A remarkable number. Some 20 Spectacled Warblers and 10 Desert Wheatears were noted as well. Some good numbers of both species were around Ovda valley, i.e some 10 nana and 20 conspicillata were noted on the 21st (Barak Granit et al.).

24-25.1.2016

White-eyed GullLarus lecoptalamus - one was at Jaffa Port on the 25th (Oz Horin and Shachar Alterman). Extremely rare in the mediterranean coasts.

Storm-Petrel sp.Ocenodroma sp. - one was seen briefly off Shikmona on the 25th (Yochai Koren)

26-29.1.2016

BateleurTerathopius ecaudatus - the same, now immature bird was near Kyriat Gat on the 27th (Irad Salonik).

Syrian SerinSerinus syriacus - one was at km 68 on the 29th (Shimon Shiff) as well as the already reported Kurdish Wheatear

Red-crested PochardNetta rufina - a male was at Kfar Rupin on the 29th (Shmuel London)

The Demoiselle's Crane at the Hula was still around throughout the week.

30.1-2.2.2016

Dotterel Charadrius morinellus - 9 were just south of Beer Sheva on the 2nd (Eyal Shochat)

3-4.2.2016

Rough-legged BuzzardButeo lagopus - a 1st year bird is apparently hanging around for two weeks around Kiryat Gat, Judean plains (Irad Salonik) but was finally identified only on today. The 3rd record for Israel. Photo

WhimbrelNumenius phaeopius - an unusual and remarkable record: 6 birds were found together on a desert plain, south of Beer-sheva on the 4th (Nir Hasson).

5-6.2.2016

Hume's Warbler Phylloscopus humei - one was at Kibbutz Dafna on both days (Liri K).

Rough-leeged BuzzardButeo lagopus - the bird was heavily twitched in local standards throughout the weekend. The long staying Bateleur was hanging around the 'buzzard hill' throughout as well, giving everyone a great show and moments.

SakerFalco cherrug - one was migrated north at Eilat mountains on the 5th (Eilat raptors count team)

Bar-tailed Lark Ammomanes cinctura - an amazing and rare gathering of 60 birds was noted at Nizzana on the 10th (Lior Kislev).

Steppe EagleAquila nipalensis - on the 10th, about 200 birds were counted at Eilat including 100 birds within a single hour (the Eilat raptor count team). The two Brown Booby's were still at the North Beach

The Rough-legged Buzzard was last seen on the 9th, while the Bateleur is still showy on daily basis

11-13.2.2016

LIttle Crake Porzana parva - one was at the "Independent Garden", Jerusalem on the 11th (Avner RInot). An odd wintering record in an odd place.

Daurian ShrikeLanius Isabellinus - one was at Kfar Rupin on the 12th (David Kotter)

Ruddy ShelduckTedorna ferruginea - 13 were at the Agamon, Hula valley on the 13th (Ohad Sherer)

Kurdish WheatearOenanthe xanthoprymna - both wintering birds, at Wadi Tzvia (Mt Gilboa) and at km 68 (southern Arava) were still at their places on the 13th.

Other than that: Both the Bateleur, and the Rough-legged Buzzard were at Kiryat Gat on the 13th; the Demoiselle's Crane was seen daily at the Agamon, Hula Valley though the Basalt Wheatear at km 94 was not seen today for the first time and perhaps has moved on.

14-16.2.2016

Egyptian NightjarCamprimulgus aegyptius - 1-2 were at Yotvata on the 15th (Rei Segali and Sachi Luria)

GoshawkAccipiter gentilis - a female was at Shivta on the 14th (Meidad Goren)

Red-breasted FlycatcherFicedula parva - one was at Jerusalem on the 16th (Amitai Tal-or). Extremely rare in winter.

The Basalt Wheatear was still apparently at km 94 on the 16th and the juv Demoiselle's Crane that was not seen for a while now was refound by the adult bird at the Agamon, Hula valley.

17.2.2016

Rough-Legged BuzzardButeo Lagopus - a second bird, this time probably a 2nd plumage male, was found yesterday at Kedma, Judean Plain only few km away from the juvnile bird! (Nissim Primo). Extraoridnary record sets.

18-19.2.2016

Pallid Scops OwlOtus brucei - two at upper wadi Grofit on the 19th (Chen Rozen). These birds were seen there earlier this winter. At the same place there were 8 Syrian Serins and the firstRuppell's Warbler for the season.

Golden OrioleOriolus oriolus - one was ringed at Eilat on the 18th (Noam Weiss et al.) Amazingly early record and perhaps the first ever February record.

Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis - one at Neve-Ur, Beit Shean valley on the 5th (Israel Sade). One of the earliest records ever unless the bird has undiscoveredly wintered there which would be an exceptional event. Photo

Blyth's PipitAnthus godlewskii - one at Arsuf, north to Tel-aviv (Oree Efroni-naor) exactley where was the previous Israeli record in 2008 in almost the same date. (Barak Granit and Tuvia Kahn). The 6th Israeli record. Photo

Crested Honey BuzzardPernis ptilorhynchus - one (probably the same bird seen earlier) at km20 date plantation on the 28th

OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus - nine at Eilat North Beach on the 27th and one there on the 29th during the COFT

Caspian PloverCharadrius asiaticus - the first and only so far for this spring was at Ovda Valley on the 26th

Red-necked PhalaropePhalaropus lobatus - early arrivles at km 20 including 5 during the COFT and 12 on the 31st.

Long-tailed Skua Strecorarius longicaudus - five at Eilat north Beach on the 27th. Also, good numbers of Arctic Skuas at Eilat during the past week including a flock of 12.

Mediterranean GullLarus melanocephalus - a first summer bird at the IBRCE on the 29th during the COFT

European NIghtjarCaprimulgus europaeus - five birds were singing at the northern Dead Sea on the 29th (Amir Ben-dov). Very early arrivles and perhaps these birds are soon to be discovered as breeders.

Egyptian Nightjar Caprimulgus aegyptius - one was at Yotava on the 29th during the COFT

Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops periscus - good numbers at southern arava, with flocks size raching up to 20 birds at Yotavata, IBRCE and km 19, mainly between 27th-29th; six at Yerucham lake on the 29th evening during the COFT

Thick-billed LarkRamphocoris clotbaey - 9 at Seifim plain on the 31st (Frank Moffat et al) while the birds at km 82 are still around

Small SkylarkAlauda gulgula - one at Yotvata on the 28th (Yoav Perlman) and one at Sde Boker on the 29th during the COFT (Jehova Chickens)

Black Bush RobinCercotrichas podobe - one at Yotvata fields, one in a date plantation north to Lotan and one south to km 20, all between 26th-28th (Frank Moffat et al)

Rufous-tailed Rock ThrushMonticola saxatilis - quite a few birds were at verious sites at the Negev, mainly around the 28th, with 5 at Mt Amsa on the 30th.

Cyprus WheatearOenanthe cypriaca - one at Nizzana on the 27th.

Menetreies's Warbler Sylvia myctacea - one at Yotvata on the 29th

Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans - few more birds were reported from Eilat, Tel-aviv, Jerusalem and other areas from the 28th-30th

Semi-Collard Flycatcher Ficedula Semitorquata - good wave of those was apparent at many places in the Negev, with 3-4 birds per site mainly beteween 26th-30th. WIth them, small numbers ofCollard and a few Pied.

Daurian ShrikeLanius isabellinus - a male at Yerucham lake on the 29th, found during the COFT

Cinereous BuntingEmberyza cineracea - 6 different sightings of singles at the Arava and southern Negev on the 29th-30th.

BateleurTerathopius ecaudatus - the bird that was reported yesterday from the Hula Valley apparently was a misidentified tail-less Marsh Harrier.

European NIghtjarCaprimulgus europaeus - reported here on 31 March: five birds were singing at the northern Dead Sea on the 29th. Apparently id has withdrawn by the observer.

8-10.4.2016

CrakesPorzana - good numbers mainly of Little with several Baillon's (up to two per site) and some Spotted were at various sites around Israel, including Jerusalem (3 species), Yerucham, Eilat, Ketura, En Hachoresh and more, with max: 20 LIttle Crakes in the last place mentioned.

Demoiselle's CraneGrus virgo - one over Jerusalem on the 10th (Nissim Primo)

Long-tailed Skuas Strecorarius longicaudus - nine at the North Beach on the 12th (Doug Gochfeld)

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus - one was at Eilot fields on the 11th evening (Mori Chen)

Collard Flycatcherficedulla albicollis - great wave, the stongest for years including 56 at Neot Smadar on the 12th (Doug Gochfeld) and 30 at Hayarkon Park, Tel-Aviv (Itamar Gurfinkel) on the 13th and 12 birds were ringed at the JBO, and 9 at Yerucham lake on the 14th. (Avner Rinot, Rony Livne et al). Smaller numbers were reported from many other places.

Other records from last days include 2 Baiilon's Crakes and 6 LIttle at Eh Hahoresh, a Red-necked Phalarope and a Purple Swamp-hen at Maayn Tzvi, all on the 14th (Barak Granit et al).

15-16.4.2016

In General - the good wave of Collard flycatchers (with both Pied and some Semi-collard) continues i.e. 50 Collard at Yerucham and 20 at Sde Boker on the 15th 10 at both the JBO and at Beer Sheva Park and 18 at Lotan on the 16th (Jonathan Meyrav, Doug Goshfeld, Micha Mendel and Itai Herling) with smaller numbers basically everywhere. During the last weekend there was a good arrival of Thrush Nightingales, Golden Orioles, European Cuckoos, Barred and Garden Warblers, Wood Warblers and many others, whie at EIlat, Honey Buzzards exceed 1000 birds daily, with Levants Sparrowhak doing the same.

Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris - one at En Hahoresh on the 16th (Yochai Koren)

Great SnipeGallinago media - one was at Hamadiya on both the 15th and the 16th (David Kotter et al).

Dunn's Lark Eremalauda dunni - a fledgling was photographed at Seifim palin on the 16th. Birds were breeding apparently (as they should...)

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos - 37 at Michmanim on the 15th (Ohad Sherer). Quite an unusual number for such a late date. Also there a Hawfinch and 19 Wood Warblers on the 16th.

Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria - a good wave of this species was notable during the weekend including 9 and 13 that were ringed at Moddiin hills on the 15th and 16th respectively (Rafi Paz). 5 were ringed at the JBO on the 16th as well and 7 at the Eilat bird park on the 15th (Noam weiss et al)

Rosy StarlingPastor roseus - one at km 20 on the 15th (Yochai Koren)

Belated reports:

White Storkciconia ciconia - a bird that was ringed as fledgling in Algeria last summer, observed at the Jordan Valley two weeks ago. The first ringed bird from Algeria to be discovered in Israel.

17-19.4.2016

Great SnipeGallinago media - one at Hamaapil fishponds on the 19th (Hadoram Shirihai)

Red-breasted FlycatcherFicedula parva - one at Lotan on the 22nd and one at km 82, central Arava on the 23rd (Shachar Shalevet al)

Olive Tree WarblerHippolais Olivetorum - one at the JBO on the 22rd (Barak Granit). The first for the spring.

24-25.4.2016

Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatus - 9 at Revaya ewservoir, Gola Heights on the 25th (Gal Shmilovich). These birds are of the tiny breeding population, found at Golan Heights and also at Jezzrael Valley

Asian Desert Wabler Sylvia nana - one at Jaffa Port on the 25th (Yakov Hartbi). Photohgraphed. Quite an amazing record, giving the species has hardly been recorded at the coastal plain (3rd record, all in recent years). This bird is being the latest spring rearguard ever recorded in Israel.

White-crowned WheatearOenanthe leucopyga - a rather fresh juvenlie at Hasharon beach, Med coast, north to Tel-Aviv on the 2nd (Yehudit Kaufman).

Other than that - 61 Garden Warblers were ringed at Yerucham Lake on the 3rd (Roni LIvne). Quite a number. 25 were ringed at Modii'n hills (Rafi Paz). at the JBO some 15 Barred Warblers at the park and the ringing station area with many others.

4-7.5.2016

Crab PloverDromas ardeola - one at Eilat north Beach on the 7th (Eric Didner and Pierre Andre-crochet). The 5th Israeli record. PHOTO

Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis - one at Timorim on the 6th (Ron Haran). Perhaps the only (documented) spring record up to date. Great find. Photo

Red-billed TealAnas erythrorhyncha - the 'Idan' bird was still there on the 7th (Eric Didner and Pierre Andre-crochet).

Long-tailed SkuaStercorarius longicaudus - one at the north beach on the 5th (Yochai Koren and Barak Granit).

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea - one continued northeards over Eilat north beach on the 5th (Barak Granit).

Rosy StarlingPastor roseus - 5 different birds were reported during the last few days: 3 different birds at Eilat, one at the Agamon (Hula Valley) and one at Ram-on

14-15.5.2016

Red-necked PhlaropePhalaropus lobatus - about 55-65 birds were at Eilat on the 14th and 15th, including 35 at the Bird Park, 20 at km19 sewage and some at km 20 (Shchar Shalev et al)

Gull-billed TernGelochelidon nilotica - 44 at the Eilat bird park and another 15 at the North Beach on the 15th (Noam Weiss, Avi Shneor). A rather good number in an all in all pretty good late spring form the species at Eilat.

At the inner flat wadis of the southern Nege, mainly north-west to Ovda Valley: Good numbers of breefing Temminck's Larks including 70-80 birds among 80% fledglings, 3 displaying Hoopoe Larks, 2-3 families of Thick-billed Lark together with great numbers of Bar-tailed Larks and someCream-coloured Coursers. (Avner Rinot, David Kotter and Dudu Raved)

16-17.5.2016

'fulvescens' Greater Spotted EagleAquila clanga - one was videotaped at Jezrael valley on the 16th (Eldad Amir). This is a double rare occasion as not only that fulvescens is a rare winter visitor but that this is the latest record of any Aquila clanga in Israel up to date.

Long-tailed SkuaStercorarius longicaudus - five at the north beach on the 16th together with 7Arctc Skuas (Shachar Shalev)

River Warbler Locustella fluviatilis - the 4th for the JBO this season was ringed on the 19th (Avner Rinot et al.)

At eilat, still some 37 Red-necked Phalaropes and 12 Broad-billed Sandpipers on the 18th (Noam Weiss)

20.5.2016

Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus - two adults at the North Beach this morning (Shachar Shalev).

Brown BoobySula leucogaster - after a month of absence one returned to the North Beach this morning (Shachar Shalev). Also, 6 Arctic Skuas and Sooty Shearwater at the same place

21-25.5.2016

Last birds of spring 2016 includes Brwon Booby at Eilat north beach on the 21st (Shachar Shalev). 17-18 Red-necked Phalaropes were still at the Eilat bird park on the 23rd and 24th. That last place had the last Corncrake and Spotted Crake, as well as 6 Barred Warblers on the 24th (Noam Weiss). Other than that, two Purple Swamphens were at Maayan Zvi on the 23rd (Giora Leitner). At Elkana a very late or over summering Song Thrush was on the 21st (Nethanel Kawe). Quiet days have arrived.

26-28.5.2016

Long-tailed SkuaStercorarius longicaudus - one at the North Beach on the 27th (Shachar Shalev)

Black TernChlidonias niger - one at Maaya Zvi on the 25th-26th, representing the only record for this spring.

White-cheeked Tern Stern repressa 3 at the North Beach on the 28th (Shachar Shalev). The first birds for the season.

Purple SwamphenPorphyrio porphyrio - one at Mayan Zvi on the 4th (Dotan Yosha)

At Eilat a nice selection and numbers of Terns including 6 White-cheeked Terns at the North Beach on the 4th (along 4 Arctic Skuas as well), and some 150 Common Terns, 120 LIttle Terns, 200White-winged Terns, 30 Whiskered Terns and a Gull-billed Tern all between the North Beach and km 20 (Shachar Shalev). 6 Red-necked Phalaropes are stil around

The present of this species at this time of year is probably indicating breeding. The species was on the radar of birders in this area during the last two summers since a dead bird found on a road in May 2014 at the northern Dead Sea. Since then, all triles to find an EN in late spring and summer during the last two years has failed.

European NightjarCaprimulgus europaeus - singing male at the Agamon, Hula valley on the 10th (Eliraz Dvir and Itamar Gurfinkel)

Mourning WheatearOenanthe lugens - a fledgling was at Ashdod on the 11th, well outside the species's breeding range (Mordi Mor Chotoveli) Photo

Meanwhile at Eilat: still over 200 White-winged Terns hanging around the ponds and the beach; 3White-cheeked Terns at the North Beach on the 11th (Shachar Shalev)

12-14.6.2016

And the nothing goes on...

Pomarine SkuaStercorarius pomarinus - 7 at the North Beach on the 13th (Shachar Shalev). Other than that 3 White-cheeked Terns, Some Whiskered and several tens of White-winged Terns. And that's about it...

15-17.6.2016

Sooty ShearwaterPuffinus griseus - one at the North Beach on the 17th (Shachar Shalev). Hardly any this June.

White-cheeked TernSterna repressa - 7 at the North Beach on the 17th (Shachar Shalev)

Hoopoe Lark Alaemon alaudipes - two, including a fledgling were at Km 20 on the 17th (Shachar Shalev) Photo

This is the northernmost record of Barbary Flacon in Israel while the species is also a rare wonderer some 100 km to the south (i.e. Beit Shean Valley).

The date is also unusual as most outside-of- breeding-range wonderers recorded in Autumn and early Winter. The bird itself, appears on the photos more reddish than most Barbaries we get here. Interesting.Photo - 1Photo - 2

18-20.6.2016

Long-tailed SkuaStercorarius longicaudus - one at the North Beach on the 18th (Shachar Shalev). At the same place up to 5 Arctic Skuas and 5 White-cheeked Terns a day. A late Gull-billed Ternwas on the 18th as well.

A Sooty FalconFalco concolor was at Kmehin, Nizzana on the 18th (Daniel Berkowic), uncommon at this site. 4 Sooty Falcons were at Lot Reservoir, southern Dead Sea on the evening of the 20th (Jonathan Meyrav). Photo

YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella - an adult female was at mt Hermon on the 22nd (Yosef Kiat). An unusual summer record. Photo

27.6.2016

White-cheeked TernSterna repressa - A nest with eggs found today at the same place where they attempted breeding the previous summer (Noam Weiss). Hopefully, this time they will have a successful breeding.